Entry 1: 4/2/08

I. Reflection on Previous I Search Experiences (due Monday, April 7)


1. What are some of the previous research projects you have done?
  • In 6th grade I did a research project on Tropical Rainforests, and in 7th grade I did some on Louisiana Festivals and the French Legacy. This year I researched labyrinths, Greek mythology, the SPCA and animal populations, and the upcoming presidential candidates.

2. Based on these projects, what does research mean to you?
  • Research means using a book or a computer to find more facts about a certain topic.

3. Describe one of your research successes or failures. Why was the experience positive or negative?
  • Last year I had a research failure. My partner and I were assigned a Louisiana Festival that we could find absolutely nothing on. We had to go to Mrs. Brewer to be assigned a different one.

Entry 2: 4/7/08

II. Reflection on Webbing Process (due Tuesday, April 8)


1. I think the webbing process did not help me find a topic because:
  • It made me keep thinking of more possible topics when I could've been looking for information on the one topic I wanted.

Entry 3: 4/7/08

III. Why I Chose This Topic and What I Know About My Topic (due Tuesday, April 8)


1. Topic:
  • The Great Wall of China

2. Why you chose it:
  • I thought it'd be interesting to know more about one of the world's most famous landmarks.

3. What you already know about your topic:
  • The Chinese built it to protect their borders from invaders.


Entry 4: 4/8/08

IV. Pre-Notetaking Activity - in class (due Wednesday, April 9)


1. Brainstorm a list of questions related to your topic.
  • *What is the history on the Great Wall of China?
  • *What effects has it had on modern civilization?
  • Who built it?
  • Why was it built?
  • When was it built?
  • How did the Great Wall affect ancient China?
  • Are there any hotels/tours on the Great Wall?
  • Is there anyone currently living on or around the Great Wall?
  • Has it been used as a way of transportation?
  • Do cars drive on it?
  • How long/high is the Wall?
  • Are there any special stops/places on the Wall?
  • Have sections ever been destroyed?

Entry 5: 4/8/08

V. Reflections on Pre-Notetaking - for homework (due Wednesday, April 9)

1. Describe how the pre-notetaking sheet helped you find both focus for your topic and research questions to investigate. Did you find it easy or difficult to create a fat question from your ideas?
  • I think the pre-notetaking helped me greatly. I was able to quickly get down all the questions I had on the topic. I also found it fairly easy to create my fat question. I thought of more things than I expected.

Entry 6: 4/9/08

VI. Search Log (due Thursday, April 10)


1. What have I learned today?
  • I learned that the Great Wall was actually many different sections of walls built by different dynasties throughout Chinese history that were eventually connected together.

2. What problems have I had?
  • It just takes forever to make one notecard so I'm not getting that much research done, I'm too busy trying to make citations.

3. How will I overcome the problem(s)?
  • I will use the same website so I don't have to make multiple citations.

4. What will I do next?
  • I will continue to answer my skinny questions in the clusters. I finished one today and got started on a second one.

---- There is a flaw in your idea. You need a minimum of five sources.
One source must be from a print source. Two sources must be from a database or two.


Entry 7: 4/10/08

VII. Search Log (due Friday, April 11)


1. What have I learned today?
  • I learned that the Great Wall is not actually a straight wall through China. It is not all connected, nor does it all go in the same direction.

2. What problems have I had?
  • None today!

3. How will I overcome the problem(s)?
  • N/A

4. What will I do next?
  • I hope to get some new information to put into my notecards from a book I found today in the library.

Entry 8: 4/11/08

VIII. Search Log (due Monday, April 14)


1. What have I learned today?
  • The Great Wall is being destroyed in many different sections.

2. What problems have I had?
  • I haven't found a database resource yet.

3. How will I overcome the problem(s)?
  • I will search through them on Monday.

4. What will I do next?
  • Hopefully I will finish my skinny questions with all 5 resources.